Henin had trouble with her forehand as the match wore on

Henin raced into an early lead and played immaculate tennis to take a one-set, 4-2 lead.

"She was just too good for me in the first set but I kept trying and trying," Clijsters said.

But from break point up for a 5-2 lead the number 14 seed's form deserted her.

Henin's powerful serves and searing backhands were replaced by numerous unforced errors as she tightened up on the threshold of victory.

Clijsters took advantage and the match was turned on its head as she increased her effort and eradicated the unforced errors that had riddled her game.

Clijsters broke back to 4-4 when Henin uncharacteristically double faulted and she broke again to seal the set at 7-5.

The third set stayed with serve until Henin, at 2-3 down but leading to love, served four forehand errors to give Clijsters a break point that she duly converted.

The younger Belgian held on to win two match points, the first of which she took with a smash, to earn her place in Saturday's final as well as the history books.